Nursing Home Abuse LawyerImperial, MO

Fighting Negligence and Abuse in Nursing Homes

When choosing an assisted living facility for your family member, trust is a huge part of the choice. Your loved one was abused by the nursing home that your family trusted to care for their health, and they need to be held accountable for their horrible act. You need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Imperial that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Imperial takes nursing home abuse and negligence extremely seriously, and we hold these institutions responsible for the damages and injuries that they caused to the families that trusted them. We have the experience that your family needs to fight this Nursing Home Abuse lawsuit, and we’ll make sure that the nursing home or assisted living facility is held fully liable for the harm they’ve caused your family. Our consultations are free, and we don’t charge any fees unless we win your family’s nursing home abuse claim. Call or contact our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Imperial now.

Gary Burger | Trial Attorney

Gary Burger is devoted to helping injury victims recover from devastating accidents in Missouri and Illinois. Gary practices all areas of personal injury law and has been successful in providing financial recovery while aiding in the protection of our clients' future.

How can I tell if my loved one is being abused in a nursing home?

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Imperial

There are always signs that will show if your loved one is being abused or neglected by their care providers. Does your family member look emaciated? They may not be receiving the nutrition or meals they are allowed. Do you see red sores or skin issues appearing on your loved one? They aren’t being moved or rotated, and now they are developing sores because of it. Is your family member nervous or unusually quiet around staff members? The staff may be abusing them. Here are several signs that can indicate your loved one isn’t receiving the care they are owed.

1. Nursing Home Abuse Malnourishment

Elder Abuse Lawyer Imperial, MO

A lack of eating or nutrition has obvious and apparent effects on a person. If their skin is sunken, and they look tired and lethargic, or they appear emaciated, they may not be getting the food or nutrition they need. Regardless of any difficulties your loved one may present when they are either eating, or if they have to be fed, your family is paying for the correct and proper care of your loved one. Negligence and abuse are never ok, and you can sue the nursing home in court. What are other clear signs of possible malnourishment? Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Imperial have identified these conditions as possible signs of malnourishment:

Skin Issues – The skin will take on a yellow hue, and in darker complexions, the skin may appear dull and heavily wrinkled. Another sign is that the skin beneath fingernails will appear white.

Mouth Sores or Discoloration – If the mouth appears bright red, or if cankers sores are present, your loved one may be malnourished. Thrush or Yeast infections may also be present and can cause white patches to develop on the cheeks and tongue.

2. Nursing Home Abuse Bed Sores

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer Imperial

Bed sores are common in people who are bedridden or spend most of their time in a wheel chair. They develop as ulcers and sores and can quickly become serious infections that if not dealt with, can lead to death or loss of limbs. If your loved one developed bed sores while in the care of a nursing home or assisted living facility, it’s a clear sign of neglect and lack of care. Bed Sores are even common in intensive care units. Bed sores are preventable, and they are treatable. Here are the different stages of bed sores our nursing home abuse lawyers in Imperial have identified that can show your loved one may have bed sores:

Stage 3. Bed Sore – The sore or blister is now at a more dangerous stage, and is causing a wide cavity to open in the flesh.

Stage 4. Bed Sore – Infection is common at this stage, and the wounds are quite severe.

Remember, bed sores, or the other name they are known by, pressure sores, are preventable. Proper care and attention is a direct combatant to bed sores, and if your loved one was being taken care of, they wouldn’t have the sores. You can sue for bed sores, and you absolutely should. Negligence is never ok, and should never be accepted regardless of what excuse the nursing home or long-term care facility gives you. Call our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Imperial now. We’ll hold the nursing home responsible for their actions, and make sure that your family receives everything they need to move forward.

Here is a short video about Bed Sores and what you can do about them.

3. Nursing Home Abuse or Mistreatment

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Imperial

Abuse can be hard to spot, especially when your loved one may not be willing to admit or not able to admit that they are being abused. The thought that the nursing home or assisted living facility you’ve placed your loved one in is abusing them is a horrible thought, but it does happen. Abuse is wrong, neglectful, and possibly criminal. Here are several signs to look for when you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected:

Financial Exploitation – This can be easy to miss if you don’t keep a detailed log of their finances. {Higher than normal credit card bills, missing checks, or Wills that have been recently altered could be clear signs of financial exploitation of your loved one|If their credit cards are maxed out, if they are missing checks, or their will has been altered and you weren’t alerted, this is a clear sign of exploitation|If their checks have gone missing, if their credit cards are being declined, and if any of their other finances appear to out of order, these can be signs of exploitation|The signs for this type of abuse will be altered wills, mysterious power of attorney forms, maxed out credit cards, and missing checks.

Neglect – The signs for this type of abuse are a lack of bathing, eating, unsanitary room conditions, or even bed sores. Neglect from a caregiver can also lead to self neglect.

Physical Abuse – This type of abuse typically results in scratches, cuts, bruises, broken bones, and in some cases sexual abuse. If your loved one is suffering from any of these types of abuse, the police can be involved in the abuse. You can also, and should also sue. Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Imperial will fight for the recovery and rights of your loved one.

Psychological Abuse – Psychgological abuse is when a care provider verbally abuses your loved one, and causes your loved one to act nervous around them, or hesitant to speak. This type of abuse can be as violent and detrimental as actual physical abuse.

Here is a short video our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Imperial have prepared:

Are there any laws governing nursing home care?

Elder Abuse Lawyer Imperial, MO

The Nursing Home Reform Act sets clear laws and guidelines for the rights of those who are in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. These are not suggestions, they are laws, and have to be followed to the letter of the law. According to the Nursing Home Reform Act, here is a quick breakdown of the rights your loved one can expect:

Freedom from Abuse

Freedom from Restraints

The Right to Privacy

The Right to Accommodation of social needs, psychological needs, physical needs, and medical needs

The Right to Participate in Resident and Family Groups

The Right to be treated with dignity

The Right to exercise self-determination

The Right to communicate freely

The Right to review and participate in any aspect of the care they are receiving and any changes to it

The Right to voice grievances

Your loved one has rights, by law, and if they’ve been violated you can pursue legal action against the Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility that was entrusted with their care. Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Imperial are well versed in the laws the govern nursing homes and the levels of care that residents are entitled to. We can help you and your family if you decide to pursue a claim against the assisted living facility. You have options, and those who harmed your family can be held accountable. Call or Contact Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Imperial now to protect your family.